Course Catalog
Graduate Program
Master Of Science In Counseling Psychology
The Master of Science in Counseling Psychology (MSCP) is a
selective, rigorous program for the creative adult who plans to become
a mental health practitioner or enter a doctoral program. It is eclectic
in theoretical orientation and committed to celebrating diversity within
the range of professional mental health approaches and techniques.
While training students in a wide variety of counseling modalities, the
MSCP program also encourages students to explore and develop their
own special interests within the field, to formulate their own philosophy
of counseling, and to prepare for state licensure as a mental health
professional.
The following are the degree objectives for Master of Science in
Counseling Psychology:
- To have increased knowledge and understanding of subjects across the breadth of the counseling field;
- To have demonstrated professional level counseling skills in a variety of counseling modalities;
- To have developed a greater understanding and recognition of their own passions and interests within the field of counseling as well as recognition of their own strengths and weaknesses related to the practice of counseling;
- To have polished written and verbal communication skills to the level of being able to conduct professional presentations; to meet academic and internship requirements of licensure as a Professional Counselor in Alaska.
Admissions
The catalog section on Graduate Student admissions lists university
requirements. In addition, there are several specific requirements for
the MSCP program as follows:
- Essay. Please address as completely as possible the followingareas:
- What are your reasons for wanting to obtain an advanced degree in Counseling Psychology?
- What are your short-term and long-term goals, or how do you see yourself as contributing toward the improvement of a social or community problem in your area?
- The MSCP Program is designed to be an academically intense and experientially demanding program. If admitted, we (the faculty) plan to create and maintain an intellectually and personally challenging experience for you. Therefore, please describe how you plan to balance graduate school, work, and personal life (i.e. relationships, family, etc.).
- Please provide a one page biography. The purpose of this application is to help us learn more about you. Please share any other personal information, which you would like the Admissions Committee to take into consideration during the interview process.
- Letters of Recommendation. Submit three current letters of recommendation, using the recommendation form in the admissions packet.
- Standardized Test. (Unless waived by the program director.) Submit scores from the Miller Analogy Test (MAT). Alaska Pacific’s reporting code is 1841.
- Interview. Set up a personal interview through the department.
- Application Deadline. The deadline to submit an application is February 1st.
Prerequisites
Students must have met the following prerequisites before
beginning the MSCP program:
One of the following:
- Abnormal Psychology
- Personality Theories
- History and Systems of Psychology
Each of the following:
- Statistics
- Research Methods or Experimental Psychology
- Human Development (e.g., Child Development, Adolescent Psychology, Life-span Development)
The program director will advise students who have questions on
the prerequisites whether their specific coursework is applicable.
Students may complete prerequisites at Alaska Pacific as non-degree
seeking students.
Note: If prerequisites are not completed at the time of the
interview, be prepared to outline a plan for completing these. In all
cases prerequisites must be completed prior to the start of MSCP
classes.
| Required Courses |
Credit Hours |
| PY |
601 |
Professional Counseling: Theory, Skills, and Practice I |
4 |
| PY |
603 |
Assessment in Counseling |
4 |
| PY |
604 |
Professional Counseling: Theory, Skills, and Practice II |
4 |
| PY |
605 |
Advanced Human Development |
4 |
| PY |
606 |
Advanced Abnormal Psychology |
4 |
| PY |
607 |
Group Counseling |
4 |
| PY |
608 |
Couples and Family Therapy |
4 |
| PY |
609 |
Social and Cultural Foundations in Counseling |
4 |
| PY |
610 |
Design and Principles of Research |
4 |
| PY |
611 |
Professional Orientation and Ethics |
4 |
| PY |
640 |
Brief Therapy |
4 |
| PY |
660 |
Career and Lifestyle Counseling |
4 |
| PY |
690 |
Professional Seminar |
4 |
| PY |
699 |
Counseling Internship |
8 |
| Total |
60 |
Admission to Candidacy
After the student has completed a full academic year (24 credits),
a first year evaluation will be conducted. The student must pass the
first year review and have received at least a "B" in all coursework in
order to be admitted to degree candidacy. The student must be admitted
to candidacy before he or she will be approved for the internship and
subsequent completion of the Counseling Psychology program.
